FCC's Online media complaint form against Comcast

While I do think that Comcast uses the AO fee as a work around for the cableCARD laws, I don't think they are violating the rules as written.

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The rules require that the monthly CableCARD rental cost be accurate. In order for you to think that Comcast is in compliance, you have to believe that it is valid for Comcast to separate rental cost from use cost or that it is obvious that a consumer will incur both costs.

The rules require that the monthly CableCARD rental cost be accurate. In order for you to think that Comcast is in compliance, you have to believe that it is valid for Comcast to separate rental cost from use cost or that it is obvious that a consumer will incur both costs.

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As you can see from my posted rate sheet, Comcast breaks apart the equipment charges from the service charges. If someone doesn't bother to read the rate sheet, I don't see how Comcast can be blamed for that. I don't agree with the charges (as I mentioned above the equipment charges are too low and the service charge is too high), but Comcast is listing them.

As you can see from my posted rate sheet, Comcast breaks apart the equipment charges from the service charges. If someone doesn't bother to read the rate sheet, I don't see how Comcast can be blamed for that. I don't agree with the charges (as I mentioned above the equipment charges are too low and the service charge is too high), but Comcast is listing them.

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So you're saying the average consumer is supposed to know that:

1. the CableCARD rental fee does not include the full cost of actually using it;

2. despite the name, it is not really an additional digital outlet but simply authorizes the use of your own or rented equipment at an existing outlet;

3. a CableCARD device that is not the primary device on the account will specifically require the payment of the additional digital outlet fee despite the fact that the only time this fee is mentioned on the rate card is in conjunction with the rental of one of their boxes;

and that this thereby meets the requirement that the CableCARD rental fee be accurate (the notes from the hearings indicate that it is also supposed to be transparent)?

Further, do you really think that the rental costs for their STBs and DVRs quoted on the rate card accurately reflect the true cost to Comcast of providing that equipment (also a requirement)?